Forget the Heat and Come See This Art

Forget the Heat and Come See This Art

Miami’s Community NewspapersBy: Alana Perez | July 9, 2018

Xavier Cortada. “Sawfish,” ceramic, 2013.

Hibiscus Gallery in July: Hibiscus Gallery, through August 3, weekends only will be a continued showing of “Life-Forms” by Michael Gray, “{in water}” by Xavier Cortada and “FLORIDA IS… Fins” on the Brink: The Vanishing of Elasmobranchs,” a group exhibition. The Gallery Hours in July are Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

“Florida is Nature,” (located outside the Hibiscus Gallery) is an ongoing art project Xavier Cortada established at the Pinecrest Gardens to showcase the natural beauty of his home state. As an elementary school student in Miami, Cortada would visit Pinecrest Gardens, then known as Parrot Jungle, to experience and learn about nature. He now returns to this location as its artist-in-residence to explore the intersection of art and the environment and to establish a platform for community conversations and efforts to protect Florida’s ecosystems.

Artist Studio: Located in the Whilden-Carrier Cottage, The Cortada Studio, will feature “{in water}” through August 3, weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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It is never too hot out to enjoy extraordinary art exhibits or to visit our two onsite galleries. If you are visiting Pinecrest Gardens this month, be sure to take in the beautiful art we have on display all year long.

“In the Thick of It”: A Stickwork Sculpture by Patrick Dougherty: Wild, superb, humorous and artful are some of the adjectives that come to mind when one explores Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork sculptures. In the Thick of It is inspired by Pinecrest Gardens’ iconic Banyan tree which sits adjacent to the sculpture. A special thank you goes out to our sponsors, The Knight Foundation and Total Bank.

Longitudinal Installation by Xavier Cortada: Cortada painted and placed 24 shoes in a circle around the North and South Poles and now, at Pinecrest Gardens, each representing a person living in a different part of the world affected by climate change. At your request, we have a statement from a person living in that longitude about how climate change affected or will affect them for you to read and ponder.

Diatom Court: Located near Splash ‘N Play you will find Cortada’s latest monumental sculpture, Diatom Court. In Diatoms, Cortada sees moments captured in time. Scientists can determine the past salinity of water by examining the glass shells of diatoms preserved in sedimentary core samples. Their presence in the layered sediment connects us to the ecosystem in which they thrived while they were alive. Indeed, they are a portal to what once was so that we can better learn how to protect what now is.

La Danse, by Brazilian artist Alice Pittaluga: La Danse is an homage to Henri Matisse’s painting from 1910. Ms. Pittaluga was inspired by the dancers from the painting and created these wonderful free flowing sculptures which are located in Pinecrest Gardens’ Hammock Pavilion area. This sculpture has been generously donated to Pinecrest Gardens by her husband, Brazilian Diplomat, Carlos Bueno. Pinecrest is home to Alice Pittaluga’s son, Roberto Bueno and his family.

Friendship by Santiago Medina: Medina has generously donated “Friendship” for permanent display in the Sotloff Memorial Garden. He summarizes his artistic passion as “I bring inert stainless steel to life by creating timeless masterpieces full of light and movement for art lovers.” Since studying at Harvard, Medina has been a pioneer in the innovative use of advanced 3D imaging CT and MRI in the creation of unique sculptures. Therefore, Medina brings powerful artistic expression, technological sophistication and physician sensitivity to his beautiful artwork.

Peace Bird and Reclining Woman by Donald Seiler: These two sculptures were donated to the Gardens by Roy and Sue Fisher. Donald Seiler was born in Miami Beach and resided in Hardee County for more than 20 years giving the community monumental sculptures and site specific forms. The Peace Bird is located at the entrance, and Reclining Woman is located at the Historic Entrance.

Deep Roots Map by Carola Bravo: This remarkable inlay of terrazo and metal is donated by Carola Bravo, and part of the permanent flooring in Cypress Hall. Bravo is a Miami based artist represented by Bernice Steinbaum Gallery and heads up the hARTvest Project located at Pinecrest Gardens.

Tropical Punch by Patsy Rodriguez: This ceramic mural was donated to Pinecrest Gardens by the Pinecrest Garden Club. Rodriguez’s colorful works, both mosaics and murals, can be found in many institutions.

Daisy the Dog by Trish: Trish Jesselli is a local artist who has been working in oils, acrylics and most recently mosaics. Her artistic philosophy, “I love doing art projects that make people smile.” She has fondly named the dog she has painted and donated by Lynn Willy Fichman, “Daisy.”

Roots Chandelier by Fragiskos Bitros: F+M FOS is a team of designers from all over the world under the artistic leadership of Fragiskos Bitros, head designer and owner. “The Roots Chandelier is part of a collection that depicts the natural rooting of trees, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutriment and moisture. It symbolizes the nourishing powers of Mother Earth, a connection to ancestors and the spirit world and a representation of the journey of spiritual growth.” – Fragiskos Bitros.

The Tree of Love by Jose Pablo Ravinet: Josepo, as the artist likes to be known, has created this magnificent sculpture as a vehicle for celebration and remembrance. The Tree of Love allows for newlyweds, newborns, a loved one or a person to be remembered and celebrated with a lasting impression. The small engraved leaves are $250 and the large engraved leaves are $500 and can be purchased at the Pinecrest Gardens Administration Office at 305-669-6990.

Hibiscus Gallery in July: Hibiscus Gallery, through August 3, weekends only will be a continued showing of “Life-Forms” by Michael Gray, “{in water}” by Xavier Cortada and “FLORIDA IS… Fins” on the Brink: The Vanishing of Elasmobranchs,” a group exhibition. The Gallery Hours in July are Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

“Florida is Nature,” (located outside the Hibiscus Gallery) is an ongoing art project Xavier Cortada established at the Pinecrest Gardens to showcase the natural beauty of his home state. As an elementary school student in Miami, Cortada would visit Pinecrest Gardens, then known as Parrot Jungle, to experience and learn about nature. He now returns to this location as its artist-in-residence to explore the intersection of art and the environment and to establish a platform for community conversations and efforts to protect Florida’s ecosystems.

Artist Studio: Located in the Whilden-Carrier Cottage, The Cortada Studio, will feature “{in water}” through August 3, weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cypress Hall: “Disruptive Females” Hosted by Hartvest Project in Pinecrest Gardens on view through August 8. As part of Hartvest Project’s “ARTCollectable Program,” this art exhibition, curated by Rochi Llaneza, brings together the work of 20 female artists from Miami’s contemporary art scene: Frida Baranek, Johanna Boccardo, Pip Brant, Carola Bravo, Karla Caprali, Ana Albertina Delgado, Hazel Gil-Salazar, Sisy Gómez, Catalina Jaramillo, Lucinda Linderman, Aurora Molina, Alez Nuñez, Judy Polstra, Sandra Ramos, Maricel Ruiz, TM Sisters, Solange Sarría, Lauren Shapiro, Nina Surel and Clara Varas. “Disruption only happens when there is an awakening to the issues to disrupt. I read somewhere, maybe a couple of years ago that the biggest disruption in the near future was coming from women, not robots. Can’t remember where I read that but it stuck with me. Some short months after, the Women’s March, #metoo, #timesup and this mayor disruption of the status quo for females began, thus reason for this conversation.”